Doorframe for collapsible closets



Feb. 24,1942. HDERMAN' 2,274,533.

DOORFRAME FOR COLLAPSI IBLE CLOSE'I 'S 7 Filed April 3, 1940 z y: I 56 INVIENTOR HARRY DRMAN ATTORNE Patented Feb. 24, 1942 1 Do-mam Fox coLLArsrB'LEoLosEr-s Derman, Laurelton,"N. Y,

"a-ApplioationApril a, 194o',seria1 No. 327,692

'1 Claims. (or; 312,444

This invention relates to collapsible closets constructed from corrugated or paper board reinforcing strips, and particularly tothe construction of .door frame units for cabinets of this type and kind which are detachable with respectto the top, bottom and side wall portions or front flange extensions on the side wall portions; and the object of the invention is to provide a door frame unit consisting of top'and bottom reinforcing rails and vertical rails extending between and coupling said top and bottomrails with the vertical vrails .disposed inwardly of the ends of said top and bottom, rails with one or .more closures slidably mounted in grooves or channels formed on inner opposed edges 'of said.

vertical rails to control the door opening; of said frame; a further object being to provide two closures mounted in a single groove or channel formed in the vertical rails in such manner as to establish frictional engagement between the closures or door members to ai'd in supporting said members in partially open position; a still further object being to provide. means concealed within the cabinet upon the rear surface of the door frame for reinforcing thecentral portion of the vertical rails and to maintain the same in predetermined spaced relationship with respect to each other; and with these and other objects in view, the invention consists in a cabinet of the class and for the purpose specified, which is simple in construction, efficient in use, and which is constructed as hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention is fully disclosed in the following specification, of which the accompanying drawing forms a part, in which the separate parts of my improvement are designated by suitable reference characters in each of the views, and in which:

Fig. "1 is a perspective view of one form of cabinet made according to my invention.

Fig. 2 is a partial section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a front view of a modified form of cabinet which I employ showing only'the upper end portion thereof; and

Fig. 4 is a partial section on Fig. 3.

In illustrating one adaptation of -my invention, I have shown in'Fig. 1 of the drawing a knockdown collapsible cabinet which consists basically of four unit parts; namely the part l comprising the back and side-wallsof the cabinet the line 4-4 of includingthe .front narrow flange or wall portions 10a, two substantially similar top and. bottom parts H and I2 having reinforcing strips I3 on the rear andside edges thereof secured to inwardly foldable flange portions H. The forward -edge I5 of said top and bottom .walls is unflanged and protrudes for attachment to the front door frame unit l6 constituting the fourth of said cabinet parts.

The door frame partl6 comprises top., and

, .bottom rails Hand .l8 which are sufiiciently long to extend slightly beyond the outer surfaces of-the side walls of the part It to, overlap the forward edges of the strips l3 on saidwalls.

The unit I8 also comprises vertical rails l9 which are arranged inwardly of the end of the strips [1, l8 and include extensions seating in grooves in the strips l1 and [8. The extensions are indicated in dotted lines at so as to form ,a rigid frame construction of said unit, the top and bottom strips of which will form by reason of ,their extension beyond the vertical rails, re-

- inforcements to the upper and lower corners .of

the front of the cabinet and will form continuations of the reinforcing strips I3 disposed around the other walls of the cabinet.

The upper surface of the strip 11 and the lower surface of the strip" is recessed as seen at 2| to receive the protruding forward edge of the top and bottom walls; thus forming a neat and finished appearance at the front of the cabinet. The outer edges of the vertical rails 19 are grooved to receive the edges of the front wall or flange portions I00. and are also provided with grooves 22 on the inner opposed edges thereof forming the guide channels for the top and bottom doors or closure members 23, 24, both of which are slidable in the single groove 22.

The upper door 23 has at its upper edge a reinforcing strip 25 substantially of the thickness of the rail l9 and grooved on its lower surface to receive a corrugated or paper board or other panel 26 which extends into the groove 22 in each rail IS. The strip 25 has tongues extending into said grooves to guide the door 23 in its movement. A bottom strip 21 also is guided in the groove 22 and is arranged upon the outer surface of the panel 26. The strip 21 isgrooved on its-inner surface-to receive the lower edge of the panel, as seen in Fig. 2, thus leaving the inner surface of the strip 21 flush with theinner surface of the panel 26. A strip 25a. similar to the strip 25 is secured to and grooved to receive the lower edge of the panel 26a of the bottom door-24 and guided in the grooves 22, whereas a flat strip 210. is secured to theinner surface of the panel 26:: of the door 24 adjacent the upper end thereof, thus placing the outer surface of the panel 26a in abutting relationship to the inner surface of the strip 21 and the inner surface of the panel 26.

It will be noted upon a consideration of Fig. 2 of the drawing that adjacent surfaces of the strips ll, 25, and i8, 25a, are grooved so as to form a substantial seal between the strips when both doors are in closed position. The strip 25 has a catch device 28 adapted to engage acompanion fastener 29 on the strip H in supporting the upper door 23 in closed position. The strip 25a is preferably provided with a finger recess 30 by means of which the lower door 24 may be raised and lowered in the cabinet. At Si is shown a transverse bracing and spacing strip which is disposed centrally of the vertical rails I9 upon the inner surfaces thereof at a point concealed when both doors are in open position. This strip serves to reinforce the .frameas well as to provide a definite spacing of the rails is to maintain free and easy movement of the doors or closures at all times.

With a cabinet of the type and kind illustrated, it will be apparent that by lowering the top door, access is bad to the interior of the cabinet through the top opening for inserting garments and the like into the cabinet. The garments inserted therein are hung upon suitable hanging means as commonly employed in cabinets of this type and kind and which are not here shown as they form no part of the present invention. It will also be apparent that by raising the lower door, access is had to the lower portion of the cabinet in which other articles may be stored, such for example as shoes and the like.

By constructing the door frame part l6 as a complete unit which is assembled and tested in the factory and shipped upon the collapsed walls of the part In with the top and bottom walls H 40' and i2 detached, the assemblage of the entire cabinet is facilitated. It will be understood that the front flange wall portions lfla are simply inserted into the grooves of the vertical rails and secured in position by suitable fasteners extending along the rails; after which the top and bottom walls may be applied.

From a consideration of Fig. 2 of the drawing, it will appear that the edges of the panels 26, 26a are secured to the strips 25, 25a which are of substantially the sam construction. The remote end portions of the panels are disposed forwardly in the strips 25, 25a, which in turn fit closely in the grooves 22 thereby supporting said ends of the panels forwardly in the wide grooves 22. The upper edge portion of the panel 260 is disposed behind the lower edge portion of the upper panel 26 and in the rear portion of the grooves 22; or in other words, the lower panel 26:: is supported angularly with respect to the grooves 22.

It will thus be understood that in lowering the.

upper door or in raising the lower door, the inner surface of the strip 21 will move over the outer surface of the panel 26a, tending to flex the panel 26a inwardly, establishing sufficient friction to support either of the door members in a partially open position; thus preventing sudden dropping of the doors which might otherwise be experienced. It will be understood, however, that when both doors are in closed position, they will snugly engage each other, but will be free for relative movement.

In the construction shown in Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawing, I have shown a slight modification, particularly in the form of the top and bottom walls of the cabinet and in the door frame part, also showing the invention applied to a different type and kind of closure. To illustrate this modification, only a portion of the front part of the cabinet is shown, it being understood that the lower part may be of the same general construction, or if desired, may be of a construction similar to that shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

In Figs. 3 and 4, 32 represents the part equivalent to the part l0 and having the front flange orwall portions 32a similar to I (la. At 33 is shown the top wall part having the side and back reinforcing strips 34, and the top wall instead of terminating in the extending portion l5, as in Figs. 1 and 2, the front edge of the top wall has a depending flange or front wall portion 35 which is adapted to enter a groove in the top rail 36 of the door frame part.

As seen in Fig. 3 of the drawing,,the vertical door frame rails 31 receive the flange portions 321: and are arranged inwardly of the ends of the strip 36. The upper ends of the rails 31' have a tongue and groove coupling with the strip 36 similar to the engagement between the rails l1 and I9 shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The ends 31a of the rails 31 protrude beyond the strip 36 rearwardly of the flange 35 and substantiallyto the top wall of the cabinet to form supports for the brackets 38 supporting a spring roller 39 upon which a flexible single-faced corrugated sheet 40 is wound. The sheet. forms the door or closure for the door frame part of the cabinet.

The door 40 slidably engages grooves 41 on inner opposed surfaces of the rails 31 as will be apparent. The door,ls also guided through a grooved portion 42 on the inner surface of the top strip 36 in the movement of the door into open and closed positions. At the free end of the door 40 is a reinforcing and guide strip 43 slidable in th groove ll. A suitable catch device 44 is employed to hold the door in closed position, the latter engaging another part arranged in the frame as in other devices of this type and kind; for example as shown in my prior application, Ser. No. 266,069 filed April 5, 1939.

It will be understood that with the construction shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the door frame includes as a unit part thereof the door or closure 46 including the spring roller and the brackets 36 supporting the roller, so that this complete unit is assembled in the cabinet in the manner of assembling the unit I6. It will also be apparent that by arranging the brackets 38 upon the extensions 3Ia of the door frame unit, and in dropping the forward edge of the top part of the cabinet as at 35, the rolled flexible closure becomes invisible and concealed within the top front comer portion of the cabinet when the door is in open position.

It will appear that in both forms of construction shown, the door frame unit is substantially identicalin construction, aside from the particular location of the top and bottom strips of the frame, but in both instances, these strips brace and strengthen the cabinet throughout the full width of the front portion thereof by reason of the extension of these strips beyond the vertical rail. By reason of this construction, a strong and durable cabinet is provided and one which will have greatest ability by reason of the folds at the four comers of the cabinet. At the same time a cabinet is produced which has a neat andfinished appearance at all of the comer portions thereof. Furthermore with this type of construction, a more definite and positive control is said door frame part comprising top and bottom provided in the erection of the cabinet and in maintaining relationship of the. several wall parts, eliminating the stresses and strains which would come upon fastening devices used in coupling the forward edges of side walls with two vertical rails of a door frame which extend outwardly to the side walls. By using the reinforcing strips as at 3| in Figs. 1 and 2, which are also applicable tothe structure shown in Figs. 3 and 4, separation of the wall parts Illa, 32a-from the strips I9, 31, is substantially obviated.

Another one of the distinctive features of the present construction resides in the fact that a material saving in the construction of the complete cabinet is effected, thus enabling applicant to sell a sturdy and well reinforced cabinet at a low selling price.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A knockdown cabinet of the class described comprising collapsibly related back, side and top and bottom wall parts, a front door frame part, said door frame part comprising top and bottom transverse strips united by vertical rails joining the transverse strips intermediate the ends thereof, said vertical rails extending substantially the full height of said cabinet between inner surfaces of said top and bottom wall parts, inner opposed surfaces-of said vertical rails having grooves, a closure slidably engaging the grooves of said vertical rails. controlling a door opening formed between said rails and top and bottom strips, the side walls of the cabinet having front foldable flange portions entering grooves on outer edges or said vertical rails in mounting the door frame unitin the cabinet,

said top and bottom strips of the door frame unit extending to the side walls of the cabinet to reinforce said walls at upper and lower portions of the cabinet, and said top and bottom strips having grooves for receiving forward .edges of the top and bottom walls of said cabinet.

2. A knockdown cabinet of the class described comprising collapsibly related back, side and top and bottom wall parts, a front door frame part, said door frame part comprising top and bottom transverse strips united by vertical rails joining the transverse strips' intermediate the ends thereof, said vertical rails extending substantially the full height of said cabinet between inner surfaces of said top and bottom wall parts, inner opposed surfaces of said vertical rails having grooves, a closure slidably' engaging the grooves of said vertical rails controlling a door opening formed between said rails and top and bottom strips, the side walls of the cabinet having front foldable flange portions entering grooves on outer edges of said vertical railsin mounting the door frame unit in the cabinet, said top and bottom strips of the door frame unit extending to the side walls of the cabinet to reinforce said walls at upper and lower portions of the cabinet, said top and bottom strips having grooves for receiving forward edges of the top and bottom walls of said cabinet and a reinforcing strip secured to the verticalrails substantially centrally thereof for reinforcing said rails and maintaining definite predetermined spacing to the central portion of said rails one with respect to the other.

3. A knockdown cabinet ofthe class described comprising collapsibly related back, side and top and bottom wall parts, a front door frame part,

transverse strips united by verticalrails joining-v the transverse strips intermediate the ends thereof, irmer opposed surfaces of said vertical rails having grooves, a-closure slidably engaging the grooves of said vertical rails controlling a door opening formed between said rails and top and bottom strips,the side walls of the cabinet having front foldable flange portions entering grooves on outer edges of said vertical rails in mounting the door frame unit in the cabinet, said top and bottom strips of the door frame unit extending to the side walls of the cabinet to reinforce said walls at upper and lower portions of the cabinet, a reinforcing strip secured to the 'vertical rails substantially centrally thereof for reinforcing said rails and maintaining definite predetermined spacing of the central portion of said rails one with respect to the other, the closure for said door frame comprising dual and independently movable door member controlling upper and lower portions of the door opening in said frame, and means on at least one of said 'door members for supporting the same angularly top and bottom strips inwardly of the ends thereof leaving the ends of said strips protruding beyond outer edges of said vertical rails, a reinforcing and spacing strip joining the vertical rails centrally thereof, opposed inner surfaces of said vertical rails having door guiding channels longitudinally thereof, upper and lower doof members slidably engaging the channels of said rails, each door member comprising a panel having reinforcing top and bottom strips, said panels and strips slidablyengaging the channels of said rails, and the arrangement of the panels in the strips of said door members being such as to dispose at least one of said door members angularly in said channels thereby providing frictiona engagement between the door members in moving the same into open position to support the door members in a partially open position.

5. A door frame unit for knockdown cabinets of the class described comprising top and bottom transverse strips, spaced vertical rails Joining the top and bottom strips inwardly of the ends thereof leaving the ends of said strips protruding beyond outer edges of said vertical rails, a reinforcing and spacing strip joining the vertical rails centrally thereof, opposed inner surfaces of said vertical rails having door guiding channels longitudinally thereof, upper and lower door members slidablly engaging the channels of said rails, each door member comprising a panel having reinforcing top and bottom strips, said panels and strips slidably engaging the channels of said rails, the arrangement of the panels in the strips ofsaid door members being such as to dispose at least one of said door members angu larly in said channels thereby providing frictional engagement between the door members in moving the same into open position to support the door members in a partially open position, and cooperating means between the door and the upper strip of said frame for supporting the upper door in closedposition.

6. In a cabinet of the "class described employing a door frame formed by spaced vertical railsand top and bottom transverse strips, a pair of door members slidably engaging said vertical rails in controlling the door opening, said doors overlapping one another in moving either door into open position, and means on at least one of said doors for supporting the free end in the path of movement of the overlapping end of the other door thereby establishing frictional engagement between overlapped portions of the doors to frictionally support the open door in a partially open position.

7. A door frame unit for knockdown cabinets having collapsibly related back, side and 'top and bottom wall parts, the side wall parts having front wall portions, said unit comprising upper and lower transverse strips, spaced vertical rails joining the transverse strips inwardly of the ends thereof leaving the ends of said strips protruding beyond outer edges of said vertical rails onto the front wall portions of the cabinet, the protruding ends of said strips extending the frame unit to the side wall parts, said vertical rails extending the full height of the frame unit of the cabinet as defined by s'aid transverse strips, opposed inner surfaces of said vertical rails having door supporting channels longitudinally thereof, a pair of door members movably supported in and forming part of said unit, and free edges of said door members having reinforcing strips.

. HARRY DERMAN.

D l S C L A l M E R 2,274,533.-Harry Derman, Laurelton, N. Y. DOORFBAME FOR Conmrsmnn Gnos- ETS. Patent dated February 24, 1942. Disclaimer filed January 25, 1944,

by the patentee.

' claimer to claims 6 and 7 in said specification.

Hereby enters this dis [Oflioial Gazette February 22, 1944.] 

